Ignition and lighting switch



Patentes aan. se, was.

Application filed August 27, 1919. Serial No. 320,130.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALFRED H. WEISS, al citizen of the United States of America, residing in VVilmette, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and vuseful Improvements in Ignition and Lighting Switches, of which the following is a specification y invention relates to electrical switches in general and has to do more particularly with switches for controlling a plurality of circuits. The present embodiment of my invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with ignition and light circuits for automobiles or the like. It is an object of my invention to produce an improved device of the class described which embodies desirable features and advantages, all in ar simple, eiiicient and economical manner.

A feature of my invention is an improved construction of the rotor element of the switch, which rotor element is operatively associated with Contact springs to establish differentcircuit combinations as the rotor element is actuated, and which rotor con` struction will be more particularly described and pointed out in the ensuing specification and appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters in the several views denote like parts, and in which Fig. 1 is a face View of the combination switch using the rotor element of my invention;

Fig.` 2 is a right side elevation of Fig. 1;

ig. 3 is a view of the rotor element of my invention in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional View of the rotor element on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the'parts of the rotor element detached.

eferring now in general to my invention as illustrated, I show the rotor element in association with a certain type of combined lighting and ignition switch of ya construction slmilar to that illustrated and described.

in co-pending application, Serial Number 173,084, filed June '6, 41917, but it. is to be ,unit L understood that the rotor element of my nvention maybe used with other types of. switches. l v

The switch as illustrated in the accompanying drawlng comprises a lighting switch and an Ignition switch unit M, cach being previded with a rotor element It Vof my linvention. A locking mechanism LK is provided and comprises a standard tumbler lock and a sliding locking plate so arranged that it operates only when the ignition switch unit M is in its tive position and the lighting switch unit L is in any of its different positions.

e erring now more in detail to my inf vention as illustrated, the switch with which the rotor of my invention is associated comprises preferably a mounting base or plate 2, made of any suitable material such as for the ignition provlded for the 5, 6 and 7 have tongue portions 12, which tongues 12 are forced into suitable openings 13 in the plate 2, which openings are slightly smaller than the tongues 12 to provide a force fit. 'The tongues 12 of the springs 5, 6, 7, etc. are provided with shoulders v14 and 15, the shoulders 14 rest-y ing against the top surface of the plate 2, while the shoulders 15 extendv slightly beyond the bottom of the plate 2 and these extensions are upset to hold the springs 5, 6, 7, etc. against movement ini the openings 13 of the plate 2. The free ends 5', 6', 7 etc. of the springs 5, 6, 7, etc. are provided with rounded or curved end portions which etc. are formed out their respective springs 5, 6, 7, etc. andare promounting plate i threaded engagement trical 'conductors l ciated with the lock 18. association with the sliding,I locking plate `ing mechanism does not form a vided with saddles or for securing electrical conductors to the terminals formed by the.

tongues 12. Screws 17 are provided with washers, which screws 17 have rscrewwith the clamping members 16 for securely holding the elecbetween the tongues 12 of .the springs 5, 6, 7, etc. and the said clamping members 16.

A standard and is set 1n tumbler lock `18 is provided a' suitable recess 19 in the 2 and a sliding locking plate 20 is also provided and is operatively asso- The lock-18 in 20 locks the ignition unit and lighting unit L as already described, but as this lockpart of my invention, a detailed descriptionwill not be given.

' Also associated with the combination lighting and ignition switch, as illustrated,

-I' show an overload relay OR which is used Afor purposes well understood, the said relay OB beingsecured to the mounting plate 2 in any suitable manner.

i The lighting switch unit L and the igni-l tion switch unit M are each provided with a rotor element of my invention, and as both are similar iii-construction, a description of one of them will suffice.

T he rotor element associated with the lighting switch unit L comprises a supporting stud 25,y a washer 26, a bushing 27 of suitable insulation material, cams 28 and 29 similar in shape and of suitable insulation material, a cam 30 of suitable conducting material and a plate 32 all of lwhich are supported upon 'the stud 25, as will now be described. The washer`26 is provided with an orifice 3310i a` size to permit it being slipped over the body portion 34 of the stud 25. The said .washer when in place rests against the shoulder 35 on the stud 25. The bushing 27 is provided with an orifice 36 or' a size to permit it being slipped over the body portion 34 of the stud 25. The cam 28 is provided with 37, 38 and 39, and is 'also provided with an oriice 40 ot a size to permit it being slipped over bushing 27 and supported upon the body portion 34 of the stud`25. rl`he cam 30 is provided with a suitable oriiice 41l of a. size to permit it being slipped over the bushing 27 which bushing insulates the cam 30 from the stud 25. A portion of the top an bottom faces 42 and 43 of the cam 30 are depressed by means o a swaging operation, as is well understood, to form depressed portions 44 and 45. The contour of the depressed portion44 on the `tace 42 of the cam 30 is the same as the contour or outline of the cam 28 so that when the cams 28 and 30 are in position on the` stud 25, the cam 28 rests in wingsor extended portions p turning upon the depressed portion 44 on cam 30, so as to align the said cam 28 and cam 30 in relation t'o each other. l

L The cam 29 is provided with win or extended portions 46, 47 and 48, an is also provided with an oriiice 49 of a size `to permit it being slipped over the bushing 27 on stud '25. The shape of cam 29 is similar to that of 28 and the contour of the depressed portion 45 of cam 30 is the same as the contour or outline of the cam 29, so that when the cam 29 is in place it sets in the depressed portion'45 of cam 30 to align itself in relation to the cams 28 and 30. An insulation washer 31 is provided with an orifice 50 of a size to permit it being slipped over the body portion 34 of the stud 25. The washer 32 is provided with an orifice 51 of a size to permit it being slipped over the reduced portion 52 of the body portion 34 'of the stud 25. The washer 32 is provided with a lug 53 which is bent at right angles to the plane of the washer proper and this lug 53 extends through a notch 54 in the washer 31 and a notch 55 in the cam 29 to hold the cams in position.

A key way or notch 56 is cut in the reduced portion 52 of the stud 25 and is of a size to receive the key or luof 57 of the washer 32. The parts thus described are supported upon the stud 25 and the cams 28 and 29, which set in the depressions 44 and 45 of the cam 30, align themselves with each other and with the cam 30. The lug 53, which rests in the notch 55 of the cam 29, and the hey 57 which fits in the key way 56 in the stud 25, align the cams 28, 29 and 3() as a whole in proper position upon the stud 25. The reduced portion 52 of the stud 25 protrudes'slightly through the'opening 51 in the washer 32 and this protruding portion is staked or spun over, as illustrated clearly in Fig. 6, to securely hold theparts upon the stud 25 to form the improved rotor element of my invention. The washer 32 is provided with an arm 6() in the form of a stop, which stop 60v is opera-tively associated with the sliding locking plate 20 for locking puroses.

rlhe cams 28 and 29have notches or cutaway portions 7 0, 71 and 72, and the cam 30 is provided with upwardly and downwardly extended portions 73, 74 and '75 upon the faces 44 and 45 of the said cam 30. The contour of the notches 70, 71 and 72 and raised portions 73, 74 and 75 is similar so d that the extended portions 73, 74. and 75 fit into the notches 70, 71 and 72 a short distance, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, to prevent the said cams 28 and 29 from the stud 25 when in position to form a rotor element as a whole. The

cam 30 is provided with notches 7 6, 77 and A78,which are in alignment with the wings 37, 38 and '39 of cam 28 and wings 46, 47

.the units L and M are in their normal position.` The notches 76, 77 and 78 are placed therein to prevent the free ends of the springs 5, 6, 7, etc. from engaging the cam 30. -The conducting 'segments are ormed by the ed es of the cam 30'. which set in the notches 0, 71 and 72 of the cams 28 and 29 and are adapted to be engaged by the springs 5, 6, 7, etc. to close the electrical' circuits, as is well understood.'

that the cams 28 and 29 fitting into the de-A pressed portions of cam 30 hold cam 30 in position, and cam 29 is in turn held in position by the lug -53 of washer 32, which latter washer is held in position by stud 57, which fits into slot 56 of stud 25.

The edges of the cams 28, 29 and 30 `are formed with concave portions to produce a snap action when the switching units` L and are moved to their different positions so that the free ends of the springs 5, 6, 7, etc. rest I in Ithe concave portions. when the switchingmnit L is moved from one position to another, the free endsJ of the springs leave the furrows 80 of the concave portions and ride upon ridges 81, and due to the springs being under tension when the springs leave theV apexesofthe ridges 81, they tend to turn the switching unit, thus producing a snap. action forthe unit and at the same time the springs hold the said unit in its new position.

ile the inyentlon has been described uses and .I also 'do not wish to fbe limited to the exact structure -asshown, as many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing therefrom, and I, therefore, wish ,to Vcover all such changes and modications as come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. A device ofthe characterdescribed includingv a mounting member, a p air of insulating members and a conductlng member associated with said mounting member, extensions ,on said insulating members, and depressions in said conducting member for receiving said kextended portions whereby the said members fit` togetherv to prevent movement relative to each other. Y

2. A device of thel character described including a mounting member, la pairy of insulating members and a conducting member adapted to be connected t'o saidmounting members, Said insulating members being From the foregoing it is at once apparent' Nowl material being adapted lto provided with portions cut away, and raised portions on said conducting .member adapted to tit into the cut-away portions of said insulating members whereby the insulating members and conducting member form a unitary structure. v

device of the character described a mounting member, a lpairof inconnected to said mounting members, said insulating members being provided with portions cut away,- and raised portions on sald conducting member adapt- -to fit into lthe cut-away portions'ofsaid insulating members, and an auxiliary memc member and associated with one of said lnsulating memmembers and -th moving relative to said mounting member.

4. A switch of the character described including relatively stationary passive contacts and ^an active Contact, said active cony tact comprisi cams of insulating and conducting materlals, raised portions for some other, and means for-locking said stationary 4 passive'contacts and said active contact-in cooperative position. 5. A switch of the character described including relatively stationary passive contacts and an active contact, said active contactfcomprising cams of insulating and conducting materials, said cams of insulating hold said cam of 'conducting materialin position,- for supporting said cams, and means curing said. cams to said stud andfor 105 venting rotation cf said cams relative tov said stud, and locking4 meansfor locking said stationary passive contacts and 'said active contactv4 in cooperativev position.

6. A switch of the character described including relatively stationary passive contacts and j tact comprising cams of insulating and con. ducting materials, said cams of insulating material-being adapted to hold said *cam of 115 conducting material in position, a stud supporting said, cams, means insulating said cam of conducting material from said stud anda member for preventin rotation of saidcams relative to said stu'v and for venting endwise movement of said cams.

-7. A switch of the character described including passive contacts and anvactive contac-t for co-operation with the passive contacts, said active switch is in. normal position, said cam of 1 30 pre- 12o cluding a mounting with a portion mounting member,

`said cams in position,

' sulating material and lmaterial adapted being provided with means formed integrally with the cams for preventing rotafi tion of said cams relative to each other.

8. A device of the character described in stud, a cam of insulating material and a cam of conducting material provided with oriices. adapted to receive said stud, said cams being provided with receding and extendedportions whereby one of said ms maintains the other of said cams in position, a bushin of insulating material for insulatin sai cam of operating material Yromsai stud, and a member secured to said stud and prevented from 'rotating relative to said stud forpreventing vrotation of said cams stud.

9. A device of the character described including a mounting stud, a cam of insulating material and a. cam of conducting ma-v terial provided with orifices adapted to receive said stud, said cams being provided relative to said with receding and extended portions wherecams maintains the other of an auxiliary member mountmg stud and provided that fits into an orilice in said cam of insulating material to prevent the said conducting cam and lsaid insulating cam from rotating relative to sai mounting stud, and means formed integrally with said stud `for maintaining said auxiliary member in position.

10. A device of the character described inclu/di'ng a mounting member,l acam of insulating material and a cam of conductin material adapted to be secured to vsaid mounting member, said cam-ot insulating material being provided with cut-away portions adapted to receive raised portions ot said cam of conducting material to prevent one `'cam from rotatin .relatively to the other, a bushing insulatmg said cam of conducting material rom said mounting member, a plate member provided with an eX- tendedportion adapted to lit into an orifice in said mounting member to prevent rotation ottV said plate vmember relative to said and an extended portion for said plate member for preventing rotation of said cam relative to said mounting member.

ll'. A device of the character described including a mounting member, a cam of ina camrof conducting to be secured to Ysaid mounting member, said cam of insulating material being provided with cut-away portions adapted to receive raised portions of said camv of conducting material, and deby one of said secured to said ,pressed portions for said conducting cam cluding a rotary conducting cam adapted to be roperate with said adapted to receive extended portions of said cam of insulating material to prevent one cam from rotating relatively1 to the other.

12. A switch of the character described inmember comprising a mounting member, an insulating cam and a conducting cam adapted to be secured to said mounting member, an extended portion for said insulating cam adapted to cooperate with a passive contact when said switch is in normal position, an extended portion tor said conducting cam adapted to c'o-operate with said activev contact when the switch is in an oit-normal position, said cams being providedwith portions adapted to iit into each other to prevent rotary movement of one cam relative to' the other, a stud insulatin said cam of conducting material 'from said rotary member, and an auxilia member secured to said rota member or preventing rotation ot sai cams relative to said rotary member.

13. A switch of the character described including a rotary member comprising a mounting member, an insulating cam and av secured to said mounting member, anfextended portion for said insulatingcam adapted to co-operate with a passive contact when said switch is in normal position, and an extended portion for saidconducting cam adapted to copassive Contact when the switch is in an off-normal position, said cams being provided with portions adapted to fit into each other to prevent rotary movement of one cam relative to the other, said cams being provided with apexes adapted to co-operate with said Vpassive contact to maintain said rotary member in position, and an auxiliarymember vadapted to be secured to said rotary member for cooperation with said cams to prevent rotation of said cams relative to said rotary member.

14.- A device of the character described including a mounting stud provided with an annular shoulder, a washer adapted to tit against said shoulder, a cylindrical sleeve of insulating material for placement on said mounting stud, a pair ot insulating cams and a conducting cam provided with oriices adapted to receive saidsleeve, and means for preventing movement between said stud and said cams.

15. A device of the character described including amounting stud provided with an annular shoulder, a washer adapted to tit against said shoulder, a cylindrical sleeve of insulating material for placement on said mounting stud, a pair of insulating cams and a conducting cam provided with oriices adapted to receive said sleeve, land a washer provided with an extended `portion ada ted to extendy into an orifice in one of sai insulating cams to prevent movement of said insulating cam.

ladapted to receive said 16. A device of the character described including a mounting stud provided with an annular shoulder, a washer adapted to fit against said shoulder, a cylindrical sleeve of insulating material for placement onsaid mounting stud, a pair of insulating cams and a conducting cam provided with orifices adapted to receive said sleeve, a washer provided with an extended portion adapted to extend into an orifice in one of said insulating cams to prevent movement of said in su a ting cam, and co-operating means between said cams of insulating material and said cam of conducting material to prevent said cams from moving relative ,to each other.

17. A device of the character described including a mounting stud provided with anannular shoulder. a Washer adapted to fit against saidshoulder, a cylindrical sleeve of insulating material for placement on said mounting stud, a pair of insulating cams and a conducting cam provided with orifices sleeve, a washer provided with an extended portion adapted to extendinto anorifice in one of said insulating cams to prevent movement of said insulatingV cam, a mounting plate yto Which said mounting stud is secured, a slidable locking plate supported by said mounting plate, and an extended portion for said washer adapted to cooperate with said mounting plate to prevent actuation of the mounting stud and cams.

18. A device of the character described including a mounting stud provided with an annular shoulder` a Washer adapted to fit against said shoulder, a cylindrical sleeve of insulating material for placement on said mounting stud, a pair of insulating cams and a conducting cam provided with orifices adapted to receive said sleeve, a Washer provided with an extended portion adapted to extend into an orifice in one of said insulating cams to prevent movement of vsaid insulating cam, cooperating means between said cam of insulating material and said cam of conducting material to prevent said cams from moving relative to each other, a mounting plate to which said mounting stud is secured, a slidable locking plate supported by said mounting plate, and an extended portion for said Washer adapted to cooperate with said mounting plate to prevent actuation of the mounting stud and cams.

19. A switch of the character described including relatively stationary passive contacts and an active contact, said active contact comprising cams of insulating and conducting materials, said cams of insulating material being adapted to hold said cam of conducting material in position, a stud supporting said cams, means insulating said cam of conducting material from said stud, a member for preventing rotation of said cams relative to said stud and for preventing endWise movement of said cams, a plate supporting said stud, a slidable locking plate supported by said plate, and means formed integrally with said member for preventing rotation of said cams relative to said plate.

20. A device of the character described including a mounting stud, a cam of insulating material and a cam of conducting material provided with orifices adapted to receive said stud, said cams being provided with receding and extended portions whereby one of said cams maintains the other of said cams in position, a bushing of insulating material for insulating said cam of conducting material from said stud, a member secured to said studand prevented from rotating relative to said stud for preventing rotation of said c ams relative to said stud, a plate supporting said stud, a slidable locking plate supported by said plate, and means formed integrally with said member for preventing rotation of said cams relative to said plate.

Signed by me at Chicago, in the count of Cook and State of Illinois, this 25th day of August, 1,919.

ALFRED H. WEISS. 

